Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-08-05

|
OF the supporters of the president at the
polls do not believe thst it was desired
or anticipated by the intelligent senti-
fnent OF the country. If the persistent
pressure OF this demand had been resisted
firmly and ii no change had been tolerated
beyond that equitable division between
parties, which, although wholly indefensi-
pie upon sound principles of reform,
might yet have been accepted as per-
mlsslole compromise under very difficult
circumstances, the reform system would
nave been so strongly entrenched in pub
TIC approval that at the end of a second
Term or the administration which had
established it no succeeding party or
president would probably have ventured
to disturb 1t.
In stating the fact which Ia tho poost
important in the history of reform within
the year, confess my great disappoint-
ment, and we must all see with sincere
regret the loss OF an unprecedented Oh.
portunlty greatly to advance benefcent
reform. | do not wish to exaRgerate the
loss nor to Judge harshly the action of the
administration nor am in the least I'M
mindful of what has been already accom-
pushed or OF the brave contest of the pres
ldent against enormous odds. But If the
statements which have been made and
which | see no reason to doubt are ac-
curate, and this political reconstruction of
the service has taken place, it is fair to as
sumo that, unless resoutely forbidden by
puollc sentiment, another party change of
administration would swiftly effect a
similar change in the public service and it
would plead the conduct of the present
administration as the precedent and ex-
cuse.
should be unjust to the executive and
TO my own belief if | did not add
s sh"s as Of Die @id lt,o not doubt the
sire to correct the evils OF patronage.
even when he abandoned the attempt, |
90 not doubt the strong conviction and
honest purpose of President Cleveland.
Like General Grant, he has undoubtedly
found the force of the spoils tradition to
be overwhelming and his view of the best
course in the actual situation. however
mistaken we may think it to be, is none
the less sincere. 1t is easy to say to him.
as it would have been to say of any of his
immediate republican predecessors that
upon this subject he is charlatan,
a pretender, and an intriguing politician
But because it would be easy it would not
be necessarily true. Certainly he would
be very haSty and inconsderate friend
of reform who should allege that if a
president who is honestly interested in
the subject does not apply the principles
of reform in their fullest scope uniformly,
everywhere, and Immediately, he may be
Justly denounced as a liar and traitor to
the cause. Even Mr.. Lincoln did not ven
ture to outrun what he held to be public
sentiment nor risk great cause by what
he thought to be premature action. When
Mr.. sumner urged and argued, Mr.. Lin
coin said cheertully, Go on | am only
six weeks behind you"
A very important incident since our last
meeting was the suspension of Messrs
Benton and Stone, respectively district at
torneys in Missouri and PENNSYLVANIA, for
disregard Of the presidents circular of the
18th of July, 1856, warning office holders
to avoid obtrusive partisanship, manipula-
ton OF party conventions and all dictation
OF party action.
In the correspondence distinction was
made by the president between the impro-
priety of participation in the nomination
of candidates and that of advocating
their election in public speeches,
which seems to be untenable. Permis-
sion to advocate the election of candi-
date should Ger tainly be extended to the
effort to secure the nomination of candi-
date who deserves to be elected. If an ia
ferior office holder may DE properly per-
mitted with every resource of argument
and satire, of ridicule and of partisan ap-
peal, to urge the election of any candi-
date, whatever his character may be- it is
not easy to see why he should be forbidden
to aid in securing the nomination of
proper candidate.
OF other officers besides Mr. Benton and
Mr.. Stone who in disregard of the circular
have taken part in the manipulation of
party primary meetings and nominating
conventions as we'll as in dictation of party
action, none. SO far as | am aware. have
been removed The circular, as warn
ing, therefore, has been neglected with
impunity, and as an order it is dead
letter. Very recently it has been osten-
tatiously and tlagrantly aefed in Balti-
more, and, should the defiance pass I'M
remarked, the circular may be regarded
as withdrawn.
The democratic convention of Ohio
warmly praised the president while its
CHAIRMAN vehemently denounced the preSi-
dents views upon reform without the least
dissent from the convention, which dis
missed the subject with expressive silence.
1t likes democratic president, but it does
not like that a democratic president should
like reform.
The democratic convention of Maryland
commends the action of the president in
en- aavoring to secure an honest and COM
petent civil service. But it thinks that
the way to secure it is to turn out republi-
cans and to put in democrats, and the
Illustrations of such a reformed civil ser
vice, Mr.. Eugene Higgins. appointment
clerk of the treasury, Mr.. Morris A.
Thomas, Indian commi ssloner, and Mr..
Freeman Rasln, naval officer at the port
of Baltimore, and many others and as an
illustration of the benefits and conse-
quence of such reformed service,
it offers the notorious purity of Maryland
politics under the leadership of Senator
German. These otfice-holders paid out of
the public treasury and disserting their
public duties TO manage caucuses and
primaries, and to take effective charge of
the polls at elections, and this condition
of politics which is a national bye-word of
corruption, are the contributions of the
democratic party in Maryland TO civil ser
vice reform.
In the State of Kentucky the democratic
convention emphatically condemned re-
form, thus censuring the well known con
vention and declarations of the democratic
president.
1t would be a great wrong TO the cause
of which the league is the authorized ma
tional representative if 1t did not plainly
and emphatically declare that it does not
regard the administration, however
worthy of respect and confidence for
many reasons, as in any strict sense of
the words a civil service reform admins
tration. Yet under this administration
! = l. I